Modification of selected areas for image processing

ABSTRACT

Various areas of a displayed document (e.g., text, image, etc.) may be selected and clipped as a separate document. In some arrangements, a user may wish to change the area of the clipped area without having to retrieve the displayed document again. Accordingly, the area of the clipped region may be modified by retrieving and storing the displayed document when the region is initially clipped. When the selected region is to be modified at a later time, the stored document may be used instead of having to retrieve the document from a source location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2011-024127, filed on Feb. 7, 2011, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Techniques for clipping a desired area on a Web page, when the operationof selecting the area is performed, and printing or storing the clippedselected area are known.

BRIEF SUMMARY

However, in the related art, a selected area, once clipped, cannot bechanged even if desired. The user typically must open the same Web pageagain and change the desired selected area, which may require additionaltime and labor.

Aspects described herein provide a system, apparatus and function thatallows a desired selected area to be clipped from a document such as aWeb page and to be stored. Additionally, the systems, apparatuses andfunctions allow the range of the clipped selected area to be freelychanged even after clipping.

According to one aspect, systems, apparatuses, methods and computerreadable media for displaying a document such as a Web page on a displayare provided. The systems, apparatuses, methods and computer readablemedia may provide acceptance of a selection of an area (e.g., a partialarea) of the displayed document as a selected area; storage ofselected-area information indicating the range of the selected area anddocument data indicating the document in a storage unit in associationwith each other; acceptance of a selected-area change instruction tochange the range of the selected area; and, when the change-instructionis received/accepted, changing of the range of the selected area thatthe selected-area information stored in the storage unit indicates tothe range of the selected area designated by the selected-area changeinstruction.

According to another aspect, extraction of a selected image displayed inthe range of the selected area indicated by the selected-areainformation from the document that the document data stored in thestorage unit indicates and displays the selected image may be provided.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons ofordinary skill in the art from the following description with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of asystem including a computing device and a printer;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example clipping process;

FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating an example clip-list startprocessing;

FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating an example clip-list exitprocessing;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example clipped-area changeprocessing;

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating an exampleidentical-original-image-clip display processing;

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating an example change-target switchprocessing;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example preview processing;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example preview-area changeprocessing;

FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a displayarea of a web browser;

FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a Web page;

FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which aclipped area is selected on the Web page displayed on the web browser;

FIG. 8D is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state in whichthe thumbnail of the selected clipped area is displayed in a clip listbox;

FIG. 8E is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state in whicha context menu is displayed by right-clicking on the thumbnail displayedin the clip list box;

FIG. 8F is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state in whichthe Web page from which the clip is cut is displayed on a clipped-areachange screen;

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state in whichthe operation of expanding the clipped area downwards on theclipped-area change screen is performed;

FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state in whichthe thumbnail of the expanded clipped area is displayed in the clip listbox;

FIG. 9C is an explanatory diagram illustrating the display state of theweb browser directly before a print preview is performed;

FIG. 9D is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example print previewscreen;

FIG. 9E is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state in whicha change of the range of the clipped area is started on the printpreview screen;

FIG. 9F is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state in whichthe inside of the clipped area is dragged on the print preview screen;

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state inwhich after the inside of the clipped area is dragged on the printpreview screen, the changed clipped area is confirmed;

FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state inwhich a change of the range of the clipped area is started on the printpreview screen;

FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state inwhich the periphery of the clipped area is dragged on the print previewscreen;

FIG. 10D is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state inwhich after the periphery of the clipped area is dragged on the printpreview screen, the changed clipped area is confirmed; and

FIG. 10E is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example state inwhich the clipped area confirmed on the print preview screen is printed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment will be described by way of examples.

System Configuration

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a system described below includes a personalcomputer 1 (hereinafter referred to as a PC 1) and a printer 3 connectedto the PC 1. The PC 1 can communicate with a web server 7 via a WAN(wide area network, for example, the Internet) 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the PC 1 includes a processor or controllersuch as CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, HDD 14 (hard disk drive 14), operatingunit 15, display unit 16, network interface 17, and USB interface 18.

The HDD 14 stores various software (e.g., including computer readableinstructions), such as an OS (operating system), a web browser,described later, and a plug-in installed in the web browser. Whenprocessing based on these programs is executed by the CPU 11, theprograms are read into the RAM 13.

The HDD 14 stores imaged Web pages and information on clip ranges in theWeb pages. For example, the data is stored in a folder having a specificpath name that is determined in advance (for example, “C:\TempClip\”illustrated in FIG. 1).

The imaged Web pages are stored such that one Web page is stored in onebitmapped image file (for example, “2010aaaa01.bmp” illustrated in FIG.1). Other image formats may also be used.

For the information indicating clip ranges in the Web pages, suchinformation on a plurality of clips may, in some configurations, bestored in a single text file (for example, “ClipList.ini” illustrated inFIG. 1). For example, the text file stores information on a plurality ofsections corresponding to the clips, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Eachsection stores the file name of the bitmapped image file and coordinatesindicating the clip range in association with each other.

The operating unit 15 includes a keyboard and various pointing devices(for example, a mouse). The display unit 16 includes a liquid crystaldisplay.

In the thus-configured PC 1, the web browser can be activated throughuser's operation on the operating unit 15. After the web browser isactivated, the URL (uniform resource locator) of Web page data on theweb server 7 (for example, markup document data described in hypertextmarkup language (HTML), extensible HTML (XHTML), or extensible markuplanguage (XML)) through user's operation on the operating unit 15, and arequest to acquire data can be issued to the web server 7.

When the request is received by the web server 7, the web server 7returns Web page data as a response. Thus, the PC 1 acquires the Webpage data and displays the Web page on the display unit 16.

If an instruction to print the Web page is issued through user'soperation on the operating unit 15 after the Web page is displayed onthe display unit 16, the PC 1 can print the Web page with the printer 3by controlling the printer 3.

The PC 1 has the function of clipping part of the Web page displayed onthe web browser and printing or storing the clip (hereinafter alsoreferred to as a clip function), which will be described later indetail.

Using the clip function allows the user to clip a desired range from theWeb page displayed on the web browser by designating the range (e.g.,coordinates defining a section of the web page), thus allowing the clipto be printed and also allowing the clip to be stored and to be printedlater.

Processing Executed by PC

Processing executed by the PC 1 will be described with reference to theexamples processes illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 7.

The web browser in the PC 1 is configured such that various extensionsother than standard or pre-loaded functions can be added by installingprograms called plug-ins. The following processes are also achieved bythe CPU 11 executing a process as a web browser and a process as aplug-in installed in the web browser in cooperation of both processes.

In the following description, processing executed by the PC 1 will bedescribed, using display examples as appropriate, on the assumption thata Web page illustrated in FIG. 8B is displayed on a web browser with thescreen configuration illustrated in FIG. 8A. In the followingdescription, expressions, such as click, right-click, drag, mouse-down,and mouse-up, are used assuming a general operation using a pointingdevice as an operation on the operating unit 15; an alternativeoperation that allows the same functions to be achieved may be performedusing other input devices, such as a keyboard and a tablet, and types ofinput available there through. Other documents and documentapplications, functions and software may be used.

An example clipping process will be described with reference to FIG. 2.The clipping process is executed when a range that the user designateson a Web page (e.g., a sub-section of a web page less than or equal tothe entire web page) is to be stored as a clip. The clipping process isstarted when the web browser is activated.

When the clipping process is started, the PC 1 waits until the userdetermines a clip range (S105: NO). In this state, the user performs apredetermined operation to shift to a clip-range designation mode andthereafter designate two points corresponding to both ends of a diagonalline of a desired rectangular range (or sub-section) on the Web page,thereby designating the rectangular range as a clip range.

Of the two points corresponding to both ends of the diagonal line, thefirst point can be designated by executing a mouse-down operation on theWeb page, and the second points can be designated by executing a dragoperation subsequent to the designation of the first point and thenexecuting a mouse-up operation. During the drag operation, a frameindicating the clip range is displayed on the web browser, as indicatedby the broken line in FIG. 8C. This allows the user to adjust the cliprange using the displayed frame as a guide. Other shapes, coordinates,and/or number of points or coordinates may be used to define a selectionrange for the clip as desired.

If a mouse-up operation has been performed, the PC 1 determines that theuser has determined a clip range (S105: YES) and acquires the clip range(S110). In S110, the PC 1 analyzes what range on the Web page has beendesignated on the basis of the data structure of the Web page, theresolution (display size) of the display screen, etc. and acquires thatinformation. Known algorithms and processes may be used to analyze therange.

Subsequently, the PC 1 images the Web page (S115). In S115, the entireWeb page is imaged irrespective of the position and size of the cliprange that the user has designated. Imaging the web page may includedownloading and/or storing an image of the web page at PC 1 (in contrastto storing the web page itself). In some examples, the web page (e.g.,the HTML or other web page format documents) may be downloaded andstored. The PC 1 searches the storage folder for the same image (S120).In S120, if the same Web page was imaged in the past, the same image isextracted from the storage folder.

If the PC 1 determines that the same image is stored (S125: YES), thereis no need to store the same image again, and thus, the PC 1 acquiresthe name of the stored existing image (S130). For example, if the filename of the stored existing image is “2010xxxx01.bmp”, the file name isacquired.

On the other hand, if the same image is not present (S125: NO), the PC 1names the imaged Web page and stores it (S135). The name is given inaccordance with predetermined rules; for example, a file name,“2010xxxx01.bmp”, is given.

After S130 or S135 is finished, the PC 1 searches the storage folder for“ClipList.ini” (S140). For example, the file “ClipList.ini” may bepresent if clip storage was performed in the past (S145: YES), and thus,the PC 1 may move to S155.

On the other hand, if clip storage is performed for the first time,“ClipList.ini” is not present (S145: NO), and thus, the PC 1 creates“ClipList.ini” in the storage folder (S150) and moves to S155.

In S155, the clip range is converted to information on the clipped areaon the image (S155). Since the coordinates of the clip range on theimage is thus determined, a section is added to “ClipList.ini”, in whichinformation on the original image (a file name indicating the bitmappedimage of the Web page from which the image is clipped and the URL of theWeb page) and information on the clipped area (coordinates indicatingthe clip range; the coordinates determined in S155) are described(S160), and the clipping process is finished.

Clip-list start processing and clip-list exit processing will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. The clip-list start processing isexecuted when a clip list box on the web browser (the box at the left inFIG. 8A) is opened. The clip list box, in one example, includes alisting of clips previously stored. The clip-list exit processing isexecuted when the clip list box on the web browser is closed. Whether toopen or close the clip list box may be designated through a user'soperation while the web browser is opened.

If the clip list box is open when the web browser is closed, theclip-list exit processing is executed, and the status that the clip listbox is open is dynamically stored. In this case, when the web browser isnext opened, the clip list box is opened on the basis of the dynamicallystored state, and the clip-list start processing is executed. Inaddition, the clip list box is updated by executing the clip-list startprocessing also directly after the clipping process (see FIG. 2) isexecuted.

When the clip-list start processing is started, the PC 1 searches thestorage folder for “ClipList.ini” (S205). If “ClipList.ini” is notpresent (S210: NO), the PC 1 exits the clip-list start processing.

On the other hand, if “ClipList.ini” is present (S210: YES), the PC 1opens “ClipList.ini” and displays the sections (S215). In S215, theinformation of “ClipList.ini” is read and is expanded tosection-by-section information on the memory.

Next, the PC 1 determines whether an unprocessed section is present(S220) to process the displayed sections in S215 one by one. If anunprocessed section is present (S220: YES), the PC 1 acquires thesection name, information on the original image (a file name indicatingthe bitmapped image of the Web page from which the image is clipped),and information on the clipped area (coordinates indicating the cliprange) from the section to be processed (S225).

Subsequently, the PC 1 searches the storage folder for the acquiredinformation on the original image and determines whether the originalimage is present (S230). The original image is generally present unlessexceptional trouble occurs (S235: YES), in which case the PC 1 clips athumbnail on the basis of the acquired information on the clipped area(S240) and displays the thumbnail in the clip list box in a reduced size(S245). For example, the thumbnail may correspond to the clipped sectionor range of the web page or other document from which the clip wasselected.

As a result, the thumbnail is displayed in the clip list box on the webbrowser, as illustrated in FIG. 8D. The thumbnail illustrated in FIG. 8Dis an example in which the clip range illustrated in FIG. 8C isdesignated, and the clip range is stored. After displaying such athumbnail, the PC 1 stores the information on the clip (S250) andreturns to S220.

In S230, if the original image is not present (S235: NO), an invalidsection is generated in “ClipList.ini” for some reason, and thus, the PC1 displays an error indication, deletes the section being processed from“ClipList.ini” (S255), and returns to S220.

From then on, S225 to S255 is repeated until all the sections displayedin S215 are processed. When all the listed sections have been processedin S215 (S220: NO), the PC 1 exits the clip-list start processing.

When the clip-list exit processing is started, the PC closes“ClipList.ini” (S305) and exits the clip-list exit processing.

Next, clipped-area change processing will be described with reference toFIG. 4. This processing is executed when the user initiates or causesthe display of a context menu, as illustrated in FIG. 8E, in associationwith the thumbnail displayed in the clip list box through a right-clickoperation and selects “Change clipped area” from the menu.

When the clipped-area change processing is started, the PC 1 readsinformation on the target clip from the memory (S405), creates a newwindow (e.g., a clipped-area change screen) (S410), and displays theoriginal image of the target clip at the center of the change screen(S415). For example, the original image may correspond to the storedimage of the entire document or web page from which the clip wasselected or designated. In some examples, instead of an original image,an original document (e.g., an HTML file) corresponding to the documentor web page from which the clip was selected or designated may be used.Use of the stored document (e.g., either image or other type of filesuch as HTML or XML) may allow the user and PC 1 to avoid having tore-acquire the web page or document to process a clipped-area change.

The PC 1 converts the information on the clipped area of the processingtarget clip to information on the selected range on the change screen(S420), and displays the selected range on the change screen based onthe stored information of the selected range on the change screen(S425).

At that time, an image or section of the document/web page in theselected range on the change screen is displayed in a normal tone, andimages or sections outside the selected range are displayed in a colorlighter than normal or in a translucent tone (see FIG. 8F). Otherappearance variations and differences may be applied to differentiatebetween a selected range and a non-selected range of the originalimage/document.

Subsequently, the PC 1 executes identical-original-image-clip displayprocessing (S430). The identical-original-image-clip display processingis executed, when the original image (e.g., an image of the entire Webpage) or the downloaded original Web page itself including the clippedarea to be processed includes a clipped area different from theprocessing target clip area, to display the other clipped area togetheron the change screen. S430 is illustrated in FIG. 5A.

When the identical-original-image-clip display processing is started,the PC 1 reads information on clips other than the clip to be changed(hereinafter referred to as a change target clip) from the memory(S505). In S505, if a plurality of clipped areas are clipped,information on all of the clips is read. In the step of S505, all theinformation is read irrespective of whether the information is of anarea clipped from the same original image (e.g., the identical Webpage).

Subsequently, the PC 1 determines whether unprocessed-clip informationis present (S510). In S510, if no read information is present in S505, anegative determination is made (S510: NO), in which case, theidentical-original-image-clip display processing is finished.

On the other hand, if unprocessed-clip information is present (S510:YES), the PC 1 determines whether the original image of the changetarget clip and the original image of the clip under determination arethe same are the same (S515). In S515, if both the clip underdetermination and the change target clip are clipped from the same Webpage, a positive determination is made. On other hand, if the clip underdetermination is clipped from another Web page different from the changetarget clip, a negative determination is made.

In S515, the PC 1 determines whether the clips are cut from the same Webpage with reference to the URL included in the section in “ClipList.ini”(the URL described in “ClipList.ini” in S160).

If the processing target clip and the change target clip are clippedfrom the same original image (S515: YES), the PC 1 converts theinformation on the clipped area of the processing target clip toinformation on the selected range on the change screen (S520). The PC 1displays the selected range on the change screen in a different colorfrom that of the change target clip based on the information on theselected range on the change screen (S525) and returns to S510. In S525,in addition to the selected range to be changed, the selected rangeindicating another clipped area different from the change target clip isdisplayed in a different color on the change screen.

In S515, if the processing target clip and the change target clip areclipped from different original images (S515: NO), the selected range ofthe unprocessed clip is not additionally displayed, and thus, the PC 1returns to S510 without executing S520 and S525.

While unprocessed-clip information is present, S515 to S525 is repeated.In S510, if it is determined that unprocessed-clip information is notpresent (S510: NO), the identical-original-image-clip display processingis finished.

After exiting the identical-original-image-clip display processing, thePC 1 moves to S435 in FIG. 4, at which the PC 1 executes change-targetswitch processing (S435). The change-target switch processing isexecuted, when another clipped area is present in S430, to switch thechange target clipped area to another clipped area. S435 is illustratedin FIG. 5B.

When the change-target switch processing is started, the PC 1 determineswhether a right-click has been performed in the selected range of theclip other than the change target clip (S605). If a right-click has notbeen performed (S605: NO), the change-target switch processing isfinished.

On the other hand, if a right-click has been performed (S605: YES), thePC 1 displays a context menu (for changing the clipped area) (S610). Ifone clip is selected (S615: YES), the PC 1 displays the selected rangeof the selected clip in the same color as that of the selected range ofthe change target clip (S620). Additionally, the display color of theselected range of the change target clip may be changed to be the sameas that of selected ranges of a clip that are not to be changed (S625).

The PC 1 changes the change target clip to the selected clip (S630) andmoves to S635. Also when no clip is selected from the menu displayed inS610 (S615: NO), the PC 1 moves to S635. In S635, the PC 1 dismisses themenu (for changing the clipped area) (S635) and exits the change-targetswitch processing.

After exiting the change-target switch processing in this way, the PC 1moves to S440 in FIG. 4, in which if an OK button (not illustrated)serving as a change confirmation button has not been pushed (S440: NO),the PC 1 returns to S435. In other words, the PC 1 accepts a targetswitch instruction any number of times until the OK button is pushed.

In S440, the PC 1 also accepts the operation of changing the range of aclipped area, in addition to the OK-button pushing operation. Theoperation of changing the range of a clipped area is the operation ofexpanding a frame indicating the selected range, as indicated by thebroken line in FIG. 8F, by dragging the frame in the direction indicatedby an arrow in FIG. 9A. The frame can also be scaled down by executing asimilar drag operation, or alternatively, the frame can be scaled up ordown also by dragging a corner of the frame. Alternatively oradditionally, the currently selected size and/or shape of the rangemight not be changed, and instead be moved around to different portionsof the original image.

On the other hand, a determination in S440 that the OK button has beenpushed (S440: YES), may indicate that the operation of confirming thechange in the clipped area has been performed, and thus, the PC 1 mayacquire information on the selected range on the change screen (S445)and convert the acquired information on the selected range toinformation on a clipped area on the original image (S450) in responsethereto.

The PC 1 clips a new thumbnail from the original image on the basis ofthe new coordinate/range information (S455), updates the information ofthe processing target clip stored in the memory (S460), and updates theinformation in the section corresponding to the processing target clipin “ClipList.ini” (S465). That is, the PC 1 updates the information ofthe clipped area in the section (coordinates indicating the clip range).

Thereafter, the PC 1 closes the window (clipped-area change screen)(S470), displays the thumbnail of the processing target clip again(S475), and exits the clipped-area change processing. As a result ofexecution of S475, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the thumbnail of theclipped area whose range is changed, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, isdisplayed in the clip list box.

Next, preview processing will be described with reference to FIG. 6.This processing is executed when the user issues an instruction todisplay a print preview through a predetermined operation. The printpreview is displayed to allow the user, when one or more clipsregistered in the clip list (for example, the clip illustrated in FIG.9C) are printed on a recording medium, to check, on the screen, theposition and size thereof on the recording medium.

When the preview processing is started, the PC 1 first reads informationon the clips to be previewed from the memory (S705) and creates a newwindow (preview screen) (S710).

Subsequently, the PC 1 determines whether an unprocessed clip to bepreviewed is present to process all the clips to be previewed (S715). Ifan unprocessed clip is present (S715: YES), the PC 1 displays thethumbnail image left-aligned on the preview screen (S720), copies theinformation on the processing target clip to a memory for a preview(S725), and returns to S715.

By repeating S715 to S725 in this way, the thumbnail image is displayedleft-aligned on the window serving as a preview screen, as illustratedin FIG. 9D. FIG. 9D illustrates only one thumbnail image; when two ormore thumbnail images are displayed, all the thumbnail images may beleft-aligned in the vertical direction in this embodiment.

Whether to left-align the thumbnail images is optional; for example, allthe thumbnail images may either be aligned at the center or may beright-aligned. Alternatively, if a sufficient blank space remains on theright as a result of left-alignment, the next image may be rendered tothe right of the preceding image in consideration of the size of theblank and the size of the next image. Furthermore, the user may selectany of the alignments or store the selection as setting and align thethumbnail images according to the setting.

The thumbnail images on the preview screen are rendered on the previewscreen, with each image inside the outer frame displayed on the previewscreen as an image corresponding to the recording medium, in a size thatreflects the scale of an image corresponding to the recording medium andthe actual recording medium. This allows the user to check the positionand size of the clip image to be printed on the recording medium whileviewing the preview screen.

As a result of the foregoing processing, if it is determined that anunprocessed clip is not present in S715 (S715: NO), then the PC 1determines whether one thumbnail has been right-clicked on the previewscreen (S730). If one thumbnail has been right-clicked (S730: YES), thePC 1 executes preview-area change processing (S735). The process in S735is specifically illustrated in FIG. 7.

When the preview-area change processing is started, the PC 1 displays aselected range around the target right-clicked thumbnail (S805). Anyother previewed clips or thumbnails may be hidden during thisprocessing. The PC 1 acquires the display position of the targetthumbnail on the preview screen (S810), acquires information on thetarget thumbnail from the memory for preview (S815), and determines thedisplay position of the original image from the target thumbnail displayposition and the information on the clipped area (S820).

The display position of the original image (an image on the Web pagefrom which the target thumbnail is clipped) is determined in S820 suchthat the target-thumbnail display position on the preview screen isfixed, and an area on the original image in the periphery of the cliprange is disposed around the thumbnail with reference to the thumbnailposition. In some cases, portions of the original image may fall outsideof the boundaries of the recording medium and thus, might not be showninitially.

After the display position has been determined, the PC 1 displays theoriginal image translucently on the back of the target thumbnail (S825).In S825, the part of the original image (see FIG. 8B) other than theclipped area is rendered in the periphery of the thumbnail, illustratedin FIG. 9D, on the preview screen, with the thumbnail display positionfixed, as illustrated in FIG. 9E.

Subsequently, the PC 1 determines whether the user has released themouse button (that is, a mouse-up operation has been performed) (S830).If the mouse button has not been released (S830: NO), the PC 1determines whether the mouse has moved (S835). If the mouse has notmoved (S835: NO), the PC 1 returns to S830, and repeats S830 to S835.

On the other hand, if the mouse has moved in S835 (S835: YES), the PC 1acquires the moving distance of the mouse (S840) and determines whetherthe mouse has been dragged in the selected range (S845) and whether themouse has been dragged in the periphery of the selected range (S850) insequence. If the mouse has not been dragged in the selected range (S845:NO) and has not been dragged in the periphery of the selected range(S850: NO), the PC 1 returns to S830.

On the other hand, if the mouse has been dragged in the selected range(S845: YES), the PC 1 changes the original-image display position by alength or distance corresponding to the acquired moving distance (S855)and displays the original image translucently again on the back of thetarget thumbnail (S860). For example, the original-image displayposition may shift around on the recording medium. While the originalimage display position is modified, the selected range may remain fixedin position relative to the recording medium. The PC 1 changes theinformation on the clipped area corresponding to the acquired movingdistance (S865), creates a new thumbnail from the original image on thebasis of the changed clipped area information (S870), deletes thepresent thumbnail and displays the new thumbnail (S875), and returns toS830. Thus, the dragging of the mouse in the selected range maycorrespond to a movement of the original image display position (e.g.,rather than movement or resizing/reshaping of the clipped area range).

By the processing from S855 to S875, the original image and thethumbnail are displayed at a position shifted in a predetermineddirection by a length corresponding to the moving distance of the mouse(by the moving distance and in the direction indicated by the arrow inFIG. 9F), as illustrated in FIG. 9F. The processing from S855 to S875 isrepeated while the mouse is dragged.

On the other hand, when the user releases the mouse button after such adrag operation is performed, a positive determination is made in S830(S830: YES). In this case, the PC 1 dismisses the original image fromthe preview screen (S880), dismisses the selected range around thetarget thumbnail (S885), and exits the preview-area change processing.As a result, the original image and the selected range around thethumbnail on the preview screen disappear, as illustrated in FIG. 10A,into a state in which only a clip whose clip position is updated isdisplayed. In some arrangements, the changing of the clipped areainformation, deletion of the previous thumbnail and display of the newthumbnail (e.g., S865-S875 might not be performed until the userreleases the mouse button (S830: YES).

When the preview-area change processing is finished, the PC 1 returns toS730 in FIG. 6. The following description will be given on theassumption that one thumbnail is right-clicked. When one thumbnail isright-clicked, a positive determination is made in S730, and the PC 1executes the preview-area change processing described above (S735).

When S805 to S825 in FIG. 7 is executed, the original image istranslucently displayed again in the periphery of the thumbnailillustrated in FIG. 10A, as illustrated in FIG. 10B. In this state, thePC 1 repeats S830 to S835 described above.

At that time, when the user drags the periphery of the selected rangewith a mouse (S850: YES), the PC 1 changes the information on theclipped area corresponding to the acquired moving distance (S865),creates a new thumbnail from the original image on the basis of thechanged clipped area information (S870), deletes the present thumbnailand displays the new thumbnail (S875), and returns to S830.

By the processing from S865 to S875, the selected range around thethumbnail moves in a predetermined direction by a length correspondingto the moving distance of the mouse (by the moving distance and in thedirection indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10C), as illustrated in FIG.10C. An image in the selected range is rendered again as a newthumbnail. Thus, the dragging of the periphery of the selected range maycorrespond to a modification in the size, shape and/or location(relative to the recording medium) of the selected range.

When the user releases the mouse button after such a drag operation isperformed, a positive determination is made in S830 (S830: YES). The PC1 therefore dismisses the original image from the preview screen (S880),dismisses the selected range around the target thumbnail (S885), andexits the preview-area change processing.

In this embodiment, a clip is printed left-aligned, and a thumbnail onthe preview screen is also left-aligned. Thus, if a space exists to theleft of the thumbnail as the selected range is changed as describedabove, the process of moving the thumbnail to the left by a lengthcorresponding to the space is also performed in S885. As a result, theoriginal image and the selected range around the thumbnail disappear onthe preview screen into a state in which only a clip whose clip positionis updated is displayed, as illustrated in FIG. 10D.

After the preview-area change processing is finished, and the PC 1returns to S730 in FIG. 6, if one thumbnail has not been right-clickedon the preview screen (S730: NO), the PC 1 determines whether to performprinting (S740).

If the user has performed the operation of issuing a print instruction(S740: YES), the PC 1 images the preview screen and call a printerdriver (S745). As a result, a print image, as illustrated in FIG. 10E,is printed by the printer 3. After S745 is finished, the PC 1 closes thewindow (preview screen) (S750) and exits the preview processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S740 that printing is not tobe performed (S740: NO), the PC 1 determines whether to make acancellation (S755). If the user has performed the operation of issuinga cancel instruction (S755: YES), the PC 1 closes the window (previewscreen) (S750) and exits the preview processing. If a cancellation isnot performed (S755: NO), the PC 1 returns to S730.

As described above, with the PC 1 that executes the foregoingprocessing, in the case where the user wants to clip an area from a Webpage and thereafter change the clip range, the user can change the cliprange with a remarkably simple operation.

Thus, the user need not to perform troublesome operations, such asreopening a Web page or other document from which an image is clippedand reselecting a clip range. Furthermore, even if the user forgets, infuture, a Web page from which the image is clipped, the clip range canbe changed without problems.

Furthermore, even if desired information disappears because a source Webpage is deleted from the network or the content of the source Web pageis updated, the clip range can be changed without problems.

While an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above,the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiment, andvarious other features may be included or excluded.

For example, in the above embodiment, in the case where a plurality ofclips cut out from the same original image are present, selected rangesof the clips are displayed on the change screen in S430 illustrated inFIG. 4 (specifically, S505 to S525 illustrated in FIG. 5A); however,whether to perform such display is optional. That is, only a selectedrange to be changed may be displayed, and the other selected ranges neednot be displayed.

Furthermore, in the case where selected ranges of a plurality of clipsare displayed on the change screen, whether to enable a selected rangeto be changed to be switched to another range in S435 of FIG. 4(specifically, S605 to S635 in FIG. 5B) is optional. For example, it isalso possible that selected ranges of a plurality of clips are displayedon the change screen in S430 of FIG. 4 (specifically, S505 to S525 inFIG. 5A), but a selected range to be changed cannot be switched toanother.

In addition, the embodiment illustrates an example in which a programfor the PC 1 to execute the processes is installed as a plug-in in a webbrowser; alternatively, the browser itself may have the function ofexecuting the processes.

Although the embodiment illustrates an example in which the PC 1 and theprinter 3 are separate unit, an all-in-one unit in which a userinterface corresponding to the PC 1 is installed in equipmentcorresponding to the printer 3 may have the configuration of the presentinvention.

In the embodiment described above, the PC 1 or the CPU 11 corresponds toan example of the computer in the present invention. The CPU 11 thatexecutes S105 corresponds to an example of the selection-instructionreceiving unit in the present invention. The CPU 11 that executes S110to S160 corresponds to an example of the storage control unit in thepresent invention. The CPU 11 that executed S405 to S415 or S705 to S725corresponds to an example of the selected-image display unit in thepresent invention. The CPU 11 that executes S420 to S440 and S730 toS735 corresponds to an example of the change-instruction receiving unitin the present invention. The CPU 11 that executes S415 and S825corresponds to an example of the peripheral-image display unit in thepresent invention. The CPU 11 that executes S465 and S865 corresponds toan example of the selection-area-information update unit in the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a processor; anoperation unit; a display unit; and a memory storing a web browser, theweb browser configured to receive web page data, to generate a web pagebased on the received web page data, and to display the web page on thedisplay unit; the memory further storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the apparatus to: accept a first useroperation via the operation unit, when a web page is displayed by theweb browser on the display unit, the first user operation designating afirst area of the displayed web page by selecting a first range of thefirst area on the displayed web page; in response to the first useroperation, generate first range information representing the firstrange; store the generated first range information and document data inthe memory in association with each other, the document datarepresenting the displayed web page; read the stored first rangeinformation from the memory; generate a first thumbnail image based onthe first range information by using the stored first range informationto obtain the designated first area from the document data; display thefirst thumbnail image in a clip list of the display unit; accept asecond user operation via the operation unit, the second user operationdesignating the first thumbnail image in the clip list; in response tothe second user operation, display a particular web page on the displayunit, the particular web page being represented by the document data,the particular web page including the first area; accept a third useroperation via the operation unit, the third user operation including aninstruction to access the first area and change the first range of thefirst area to a second range, the second range being different from thefirst range; in response to the third user operation, generate secondrange information representing the second range of the first area; andreplace the stored first range with the generated second rangeinformation.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theapparatus is further caused to, in response to the second useroperation, display the particular web page on the display unit, theparticular web page including the first area and another area, a rangeof the first area being the first range, the first area being displayedin a first visual condition, and the other area being displayed in asecond visual condition.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe apparatus is further caused to, in response to the third useroperation, visually replace the range of the first area in theparticular web page, from the first range to the second range.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the third user operationincludes an operation to expand or reduce the first range, and whereinsecond range is an expanded range or a reduced range compared to thefirst range.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theapparatus is further caused to: in response to the third user operation,replace a visual condition of the first thumbnail image in the cliplist, from a condition corresponding to the first range with a conditioncorresponding to the second range.
 6. The apparatus according to claim2, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: in response to the thirduser operation, display the entirety of the particular web page based onthe document data.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein theapparatus is further caused to: when information for a third range andthe document data are stored in the memory in association with eachother, in response to the first user operation, generate the first rangeinformation, the third range information representing a range of asecond area, the second area being different from the first area, andthe second area being predesignated by a fourth user operation; storethe generated first range information in the memory associated with thedocument data stored in the memory; and when the first rangeinformation, the third range information and the document data arestored in the memory in association with each other, and in response tothe second user operation, display the particular web page on thedisplay unit, the particular web page including the first area, thesecond area and a third area, wherein the range of the first area is thefirst range, wherein the range of the second area is the third range,wherein the first area is displayed in the first visual condition, thethird area is displayed in the second visual condition, and the secondarea is displayed in a third visual condition.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: accepta fifth user operation via the operation unit, the fifth user operationincluding an instruction to display a print preview; in response to thefifth user operation, read the first range information and the thirdrange information from the memory; and display the print preview basedon the first range information and the third range information, theprint preview representing an entire recording medium on which is thefirst area and the third area are to be printed.
 9. A non-transitory,computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructionsexecutable by a processor included in an apparatus, the apparatusfurther including an operation unit, a display unit, a memory storing aweb browser, the instructions, when executed by the processor, causingthe apparatus to: accept a first user operation via the operation unit,when a web page is displayed by the web browser on the display unit, thefirst user operation designating a first area of the displayed web pageby selecting a first range of the first area on the displayed web page;in response to the first user operation, generate first rangeinformation representing the first range; store the generated firstrange information and document data in the memory in association witheach other, the document data representing the displayed web page; readthe stored first range information from the memory; generate a firstthumbnail image based on the first range information by using the storedfirst range information to obtain the designated first area from thedocument data; display the first thumbnail image in a clip list of thedisplay unit; accept a second user operation via the operation unit, thesecond user operation designating one of the first thumbnail image inthe clip list; in response to the second user operation, display aparticular web page on the display unit, the particular web page beingrepresented by the document data, the particular web page including thefirst area; accept a third user operation via the operation unit, thethird user operation including an instruction to access the first areaand change the first range of the first area to a second range; inresponse to the third user operation, generate second range informationrepresenting the second range of the first area; and replace the storedfirst range with the generated second range information.
 10. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium according to claim 9, whereinthe apparatus is further caused to: in response to the second useroperation, display the particular web page on the display unit, theparticular web page including the first area and another area, a rangeof the first area being the first range, the first area being displayedin a first visual condition, and the other area being displayed in asecond visual condition.
 11. The non-transitory, computer-readablemedium according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further causedto: in response to the third user operation, visually replace the rangeof the first area in the particular web page, from the first range tothe second range.
 12. The non-transitory, computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 11, wherein the third user operation is an operationto expand or reduce the first range, and wherein second range is anexpanded range or a reduced range compared to the first range.
 13. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium according to claim 10, whereinthe apparatus is further caused to: in response to the third useroperation, replace a visual condition of the first thumbnail image inthe clip list, from a condition corresponding to the first range with acondition corresponding to the second range.
 14. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to: in response to the third user operation, display theentire of the particular web page based on the document data.
 15. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium according to claim 14, whereinthe apparatus further caused to: when information for a third range andthe document data are stored in the memory in association with eachother, in response to the first user operation, generate the first rangeinformation, the third range information representing a range of asecond area, the second area being different from the first area, andthe second area being predesignated by a fourth user operation; storethe generated first range information in the memory associated with thedocument data stored in the memory; and when the first rangeinformation, the third range information and the document data arestored in the memory in association with each other, and in response tothe second user operation, display the particular web page on thedisplay unit, the particular web page including the first area, thesecond area and a third area, wherein the range of the first area is thefirst range, wherein the range of the second area is the third range,wherein the first area is displayed in the first visual condition, thethird area is displayed in the second visual condition, and the secondarea is displayed in a third visual condition.
 16. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to: accept a fifth user operation via the operation unit,the fifth user operation including an instruction to display a printpreview; in response to the fifth user operation, read the first rangeinformation and the third range information from the memory; and displaythe print preview based on the first range information and the thirdrange information, the print preview representing an entire recordingmedium on which the first area and the third area are to be printed. 17.The non-transitory, computer-readable medium according to claim 9,wherein the apparatus further caused to: accept a sixth user operationvia the operation unit, the sixth user operation designating whether ornot to display the clip list; in response to the sixth user operationdesignating to display the clip list, display the clip list on thedisplay unit; in response to the sixth user operation designating to notdisplay the clip list, delete the clip list from the display unit, and,when the web browser is terminated, delete the clip list from thedisplay unit; after the web browser, with the clip list displayed, isterminated, and in response to activation of the web browser, displaythe clip list on the display unit, without requiring the sixth useroperation; and after the web browser, with the clip list not displayed,is terminated: in response to activation of the web browser, display theweb browser without the clip list, and after activation of the webbrowser, and in response to the sixth user operation, display the cliplist on the display unit.
 18. A non-transitory, computer-readable mediumstoring computer-readable instructions executable by a computer of anapparatus, the apparatus comprising the computer, an operation unit, adisplay unit, a memory storing a web browser, the instructions, whenexecuted by the computer, cause the apparatus to: accept a first useroperation via the operation unit, when a web page is displayed by theweb browser on the display unit, the first user operation designating afirst area of the displayed web page by selecting a first range of thefirst area on the displayed web page, the web browser configured toreceive web page data, to generate a web page based on the received webpage data, and to display the web page on the display unit; in responseto the first user operation, generate first range informationrepresenting the first range; store the generated first rangeinformation and particular data in the memory in association with eachother, the particular data representing the displayed web page; read atleast one of the stored first range information from the memory;generating a first thumbnail image based on the first range informationby using the stored first range information to obtain the designatedfirst area from the particular data; display the first thumbnail imagein a clip list of the display unit; accept a second user operation viathe operation unit, the second user operation designating one of thefirst thumbnail image in the clip list; in response to the second useroperation, display a particular web page on the display unit, theparticular web page represented by the particular data, the particularweb page including the first area.
 19. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium according to claim 18, the particular data is aUniform Resource Location (URL) of the web page data.
 20. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium according to claim 19, whereinthe apparatus further caused to: store the URL and image datarepresenting the web page in the memory, in association with each other;and in response to the second user operation, display the particular webpage based on the image data, on the display unit.